College

COLLEGE

November 28, 1998

NEBRASKA 16, COLORADO 14

MIKE RUCKER forced two second-half fumbles, including one that led to Kris Brown's third field goal, as No. 14 Nebraska beat visiting Colorado on Friday. Brown's 25-yard field goal with 8 minutes, 48 seconds to play was the difference, capping a 10-play, 49-yard drive that started for the Cornhuskers (9-3, 5-3 in Big 12) when Rucker sacked Colorado's Mike Moschetti.

With the Buffaloes (7-4, 4-4) facing third-and-22 at their own 35, Moschetti went back to throw. Rucker put a hand on Moschetti's throwing arm as the pocket collapsed, knocking the ball loose. Jeremey Schletcha recovered for the Huskers at the Nebraska 43. Five minutes later, Brown kicked a field goal that helped Nebraska extend its streak of seasons with at least nine victories to 30 years.

Brown earlier set an NCAA record with his 217th career extra point.

ARKANSAS 41, LSU 14

CLINT STOERNER completed 19-of-25 passes for 232 yards in the first half as No. 13 Arkansas built a 21-point lead on its way to victory over visiting Louisiana State University that completed a dramatic turnaround under first-year coach Houston Nutt.

The Razorbacks (9-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) earned a share of the Western Division title with Mississippi State after two successive 4-7 seasons. Mississippi State, though, will play Tennessee in the SEC title game because the Bulldogs beat Arkansas, 22-21, last week.

LSU (4-7, 2-6) had its first losing season in four years under Gerry DiNardo.

WEST VIRGINIA 52, PITTSBURGH 14

MARC BULGER, unwanted by Pittsburgh despite playing high school football a few blocks from its campus, threw a school-record six touchdown passes as West Virginia routed the host Panthers.

In the Backyard Brawl's most one-sided game since the Mountaineers won 44-6 in 1992, West Virginia (8-3, 5-2 in Big East) scored seven touchdowns in a span of eight possessions to position itself for a possible Gator Bowl bid.

The Panthers (2-9, 0-7) lost their seventh in a row. Bulger was 26-of-37 for 409 yards before being lifted in the fourth quarter.